ATI MENTAL HEALTH 2023| Actual
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the
following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
(Select all that apply)
A) To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B) To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
C) To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence.
D) To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects.
E) To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify our most recent
presidents.
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Counting backward by sevens assesses cognitive ability (serial sevens test).
Observing facial expression evaluates affect. Instructing the client to write a sentence tests
language ability (expressive aphasia or writing skills). Option D is incorrect as repeating objects
assesses immediate recall, not remote memory. Option E tests factual knowledge, not abstract
thinking (e.g., interpreting proverbs would assess abstraction).
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of the following
actions should the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
Correct Answer: D
,Explanation: Psychobiological interventions focus on biological aspects, such as monitoring
medication effects. Options A and B are behavioral interventions, while C is a general
assessment not specifically psychobiological.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial client interview.
When conducting the interview, which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the
priority?
A) Coordinate holistic care with social services.
B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
C) Include the client's family in the interview.
D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The priority in an initial interview is to assess the client's perception of their status
to build rapport and guide further care. Other options are important but not the initial priority.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When assessing the client,
which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
B) The client has a glasgow coma scale score less than 7.
C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Stupor involves arousal only to painful stimuli like a sternal rub, with quick return
to unresponsiveness. Option B describes coma, C decorticate posturing (often in coma), and D
lethargy or confusion.
A nurse is planning a peer group about the DSM-5. Which of the following information is
appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply).
A) The DSM-5 includes client education handouts for mental health disorders.
,B) The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health disorders.
C) The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment for mental health disorders.
D) The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have mental health disorders.
E) The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health disorders.
Correct Answer: B, D, E
Explanation: The DSM-5 provides diagnostic criteria (B), aids in care planning (D), and
outlines assessment findings (E). It does not include handouts (A) or pharmacological
recommendations (C), which are from other sources like guidelines.
A nurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should
identify that which of the following clients requires a temporary emergency admission?
A) A client who has schizophrenia with delusions of grandeur.
B) A client who has manifestations of depression and attempted suicide a year ago.
C) A client who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a homeless man with a metal
rod.
D) A client who has bipolar disorder and paces quickly around the room while talking to himself.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Emergency admission is for imminent danger; assault indicates risk to others.
Other options show chronic symptoms without immediate threat.
A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight because the
unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients. The nurse's actions
are an example of which of the following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy.
B) False imprisonment.
C) Assault.
D) Battery.
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: Seclusion without clinical justification (e.g., for staffing convenience) is false
imprisonment, unlawfully restricting freedom.
A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in order to
protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using therapeutic
communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B) Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his roommate closely.
C) Tell the client that this must be reported to the healthcare team because it concerns the health
and safety of the client and others.
D) Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the intention to do
so.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Duty to warn/protect overrides confidentiality for safety threats; report without
informing the client to avoid escalation.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints. Which of the following statements
should the nurse include in the documentation? (Select all that apply)
A) Client ate most of his breakfast.
B) Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr.
C) Client shouted obscenities at assistive personnel.
D) Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg by mouth at 1000.
E) Client acted out after lunch.
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: Documentation must include care provided (B), behaviors justifying restraints (C),
and interventions (D). A and E are vague or unrelated to restraint specifics.
A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway with
another nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the
following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
(Select all that apply)
A) To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B) To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
C) To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence.
D) To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects.
E) To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify our most recent
presidents.
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Counting backward by sevens assesses cognitive ability (serial sevens test).
Observing facial expression evaluates affect. Instructing the client to write a sentence tests
language ability (expressive aphasia or writing skills). Option D is incorrect as repeating objects
assesses immediate recall, not remote memory. Option E tests factual knowledge, not abstract
thinking (e.g., interpreting proverbs would assess abstraction).
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of the following
actions should the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
Correct Answer: D
,Explanation: Psychobiological interventions focus on biological aspects, such as monitoring
medication effects. Options A and B are behavioral interventions, while C is a general
assessment not specifically psychobiological.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial client interview.
When conducting the interview, which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the
priority?
A) Coordinate holistic care with social services.
B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
C) Include the client's family in the interview.
D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The priority in an initial interview is to assess the client's perception of their status
to build rapport and guide further care. Other options are important but not the initial priority.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When assessing the client,
which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
B) The client has a glasgow coma scale score less than 7.
C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Stupor involves arousal only to painful stimuli like a sternal rub, with quick return
to unresponsiveness. Option B describes coma, C decorticate posturing (often in coma), and D
lethargy or confusion.
A nurse is planning a peer group about the DSM-5. Which of the following information is
appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply).
A) The DSM-5 includes client education handouts for mental health disorders.
,B) The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health disorders.
C) The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment for mental health disorders.
D) The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have mental health disorders.
E) The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health disorders.
Correct Answer: B, D, E
Explanation: The DSM-5 provides diagnostic criteria (B), aids in care planning (D), and
outlines assessment findings (E). It does not include handouts (A) or pharmacological
recommendations (C), which are from other sources like guidelines.
A nurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should
identify that which of the following clients requires a temporary emergency admission?
A) A client who has schizophrenia with delusions of grandeur.
B) A client who has manifestations of depression and attempted suicide a year ago.
C) A client who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a homeless man with a metal
rod.
D) A client who has bipolar disorder and paces quickly around the room while talking to himself.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Emergency admission is for imminent danger; assault indicates risk to others.
Other options show chronic symptoms without immediate threat.
A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight because the
unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients. The nurse's actions
are an example of which of the following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy.
B) False imprisonment.
C) Assault.
D) Battery.
Correct Answer: B
, Explanation: Seclusion without clinical justification (e.g., for staffing convenience) is false
imprisonment, unlawfully restricting freedom.
A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in order to
protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using therapeutic
communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B) Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his roommate closely.
C) Tell the client that this must be reported to the healthcare team because it concerns the health
and safety of the client and others.
D) Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the intention to do
so.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Duty to warn/protect overrides confidentiality for safety threats; report without
informing the client to avoid escalation.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints. Which of the following statements
should the nurse include in the documentation? (Select all that apply)
A) Client ate most of his breakfast.
B) Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr.
C) Client shouted obscenities at assistive personnel.
D) Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg by mouth at 1000.
E) Client acted out after lunch.
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: Documentation must include care provided (B), behaviors justifying restraints (C),
and interventions (D). A and E are vague or unrelated to restraint specifics.
A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway with
another nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
